WASHINGTON -- It was naughty of Winston Churchill to say, if he really did, that "the best argument against democracy is a five-minute conversation with the average voter." Nevertheless, many voters' paucity of information about politics and government, although arguably rational, raises awkward questions about concepts central to democratic theory, including consent, representation, public opinion, electoral mandates and officials' accountability.

Much has been written lately about whether U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson will jump into the governors race. While Ive thought for a long time that he would not do so, Ive recently changed my mind because of comments he's made about the race.